Who can become an SDF handler?
• Support from their department • A training group of four to six canine-handler teams • Commitment and a positive outlook • Physical ability • Willingness to be assigned an SDF Search Dog Why does SDF work primarily with firefighters? Firefighters are the first on the scene in a disaster. They already follow a rigorous training regimen, and can incorporate a search dog into their career and lifestyle. Civilians who are successful handlers must be able to match this training regimen and have a career in which they are able to have the dog with them at all times. What does SDF offer to fire departments? • Highly skilled search dogs trained by one of the nation’s top canine instructors • A proven program of training for the canine-firefighter team leading to DHS/FEMA Advanced Certification • Ongoing support to the team throughout the working life of the dog. What aspect of the training program does SDF pay for? It costs SDF $10,000 to produce one SDF canine-firefighter search team. This
